
Norway is an increasingly popular destination for international students, offering high-quality education in a safe, modern environment. While public universities have implemented tuition fees for non-EU/EEA students since 2023, the cost remains highly competitive compared to other Western nations.
This guide provides Indian students with the most critical information needed for 2025 admission, including updated fee ranges, mandatory visa financial requirements, and academic eligibility criteria.
For many international students, studying free in Norway has been a dream. Tuition was free for all in public universities of Norway until 2023 when almost all non-EU students started to pay tuition fees. However, in comparison to other European nations, fees are quite low, and several scholarships are available for top achievers. If you hail from the EU/EEA or Switzerland, in most cases, you can study for free or pay a small semester fee. Grants and scholarships cover some or even all costs for non-EU students.
Many international students dream of studying in Norway for free. Public universities in Norway had free tuition for all, but starting from 2023, most non-EU students pay tuition fees. Still, compared to other European countries, fees are fairly low, and many scholarships are available for top students. If you are from the EU/EEA or Switzerland, you can often study for free or pay a small semester fee. Scholarships and grants help cover some or all costs for non-EU students.
Most Norwegian universities offer many courses in English. You can study Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in English in areas like engineering, business, IT, social sciences, and natural sciences. English test results are required for admission. This helps students from around the world, including India, join Norway’s education system with ease. Speaking English is enough for daily life at the university.
Understanding the costs is the first critical step for applicants. While public tuition is no longer free for non-EU students, the costs are manageable, with excellent scholarship opportunities available.
|
Fee Type |
Cost (NOK/year) |
Approx. INR (per year) |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Public University (Non-EU, English-Taught) |
80,000 – 400,000 |
₹6.5 lakh – ₹32 lakh |
Varies widely by specific program and university. |
|
Private University |
90,000 – 150,000 |
₹7.5 lakh – ₹12 lakh |
Private institutions generally charge lower, stable fees. |
|
Public University (EU/EEA) |
0 – 1,000 (semester fee only) |
₹0 – ₹8,000 |
EU/EEA students often remain exempt from tuition. |
Requirements to study in Norway for international students are simple but strict. For a Bachelor’s degree, you must have passed higher secondary school (Class 12) and meet subject requirements. For a Master’s, you need a recognized Bachelor’s degree. English skills proven by IELTS (usually 6.0 or above) or TOEFL are required for all English-taught programs. Some courses need extra documents like a Statement of Purpose, CV, recommendation letters, or entrance exams. You must show you have enough money for living costs (around NOK 137,907 for one year), as it is needed for both university and student visa.
Admission Letter: Official, unconditional offer of admission from a recognized Norwegian university.
Proof of Funds: You must show evidence (e.g., bank statement) that you have NOK 137,907 (or the current mandated amount) to cover one year of living expenses. This money must be accessible in a Norwegian bank account or restricted account.
Passport: Valid passport that covers your full study period.
Health Insurance: Proof of adequate health insurance (or coverage under the Norwegian National Insurance Scheme).
Application: Completed online application and payment of the visa fee.
Visa Processing Time: Be aware that visa decisions can take 2–3 months, so apply immediately after receiving your offer letter.
must demonstrate financial proof to cover one year of living costs in Norway.
|
Expense Type |
Cost (NOK/month) |
Cost (NOK/year) |
Approx. INR (per year) |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Mandatory Proof of Funds (Visa Requirement) |
N/A |
NOK 137,907 |
₹11–11.5 lakh |
|
Estimated Student Living Costs |
11,500 – 14,000 |
138,000 – 168,000 |
₹11–13.5 lakh |
Norwegian universities maintain strict academic and language requirements for entry into English-taught programs.
|
Requirement |
Bachelor's Degree Programs |
Master's Degree Programs |
|---|---|---|
|
Academic Qualification |
12th pass (Higher Secondary School Certificate) with strong marks. Must meet specific subject requirements (e.g., Maths/Science). |
Recognized Bachelor's degree (3-4 years) relevant to the Master's subject. |
|
English Proficiency |
Mandatory: IELTS (usually 6.0 or above) or TOEFL equivalent. |
Mandatory: IELTS (usually 6.5 or above) or TOEFL equivalent. |
|
Supporting Documents |
Statement of Purpose (SOP) and CV sometimes required. |
SOP, CV, and academic Reference Letters (usually 2). |
The majority of international Master’s programs and several Bachelor’s programs across fields like Engineering, IT, Business, and Natural Sciences are taught entirely in English. You must prove your proficiency through a standardized test.
Bachelor’s programs in Norway are taught in both Norwegian and English. Popular English-taught fields include business, marketing, engineering, IT, natural sciences, and social studies. The usual length of a Bachelor’s is three years. For study in Norway Bachelor admission, students need good marks in school and meet subject and English requirements. Some programs ask for maths or science scores and specific documents. Applications are online, often through the ‘Samordna Opptak’ portal or via the university website.
Some students compare study in Norway with study in Monaco from India. Monaco is small and focuses on business and hospitality education, usually at higher costs. In contrast, Norway offers more subjects and public universities, with wider English programs and strong research. For Indian students, Norway gives affordable, high-standard education with student-friendly life.
Research & Select: Shortlist universities and programs (like the University of Oslo or NTNU) and verify the exact program-specific requirements.
Prepare Documents: Gather all required documents, including your English proficiency score (IELTS/TOEFL), academic transcripts, and personal statement.
Online Application: Apply online through the university's portal or the central 'Samordna Opptak' portal (mainly for Bachelor's).
Receive Offer: Successful applicants receive an admission offer letter (typically between April and June).
Secure Funds: Transfer the required proof of funds (NOK 137,907) into the designated restricted account.
Apply for Visa: Immediately apply for the Student Residence Permit using your admission letter and financial proof.
Enrollment: Travel to Norway and complete final enrollment at the university campus.
Students in Norway enjoy safe cities, modern libraries, sports, and outdoor fun. Many student groups welcome foreigners with social events. Indian students find Indian shops, temples, and student clubs in big cities. Public transport runs well, and student discounts are common. The weather is cold, so warm clothes are important.
Norway’s institutions are recognized globally for their research focus and strong student support systems:
|
University Name |
Strong Fields |
Key Features |
|---|---|---|
|
University of Oslo |
Law, Humanities, Medicine, Science |
Oldest and largest university in Norway. |
|
Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) |
Technology, Engineering, IT, Architecture |
Leading institution for research and innovation. |
|
University of Bergen |
Medicine, Climate Research, Humanities |
Major public university on the West Coast. |
|
BI Norwegian Business School (Private) |
Business, Finance, Management |
Highly regarded private business school.P |
Study in Norway offers excellent education, beautiful experiences, and good chances for future jobs. Prepare early, gather documents, and begin your education journey in Norway.
Study in Norway scholarships are open to international students, including those from India. Many Norwegian universities offer scholarships or partial fee waivers for top-performing students. Some scholarships pay for full or part tuition and sometimes living expenses. The Norwegian government funds the Quota Scheme, Erasmus+, and other programs for non-European students. Some private companies and organizations also support students.
|
Scholarship Name |
Who Can Apply |
Support Given |
|
High North Fellowship |
Non-EU students |
Monthly stipend, travel |
|
Erasmus+ |
EU/Partner students |
Tuition, living, travel |
|
BI Presidential Scholarship |
All |
Full/partial tuition waiver |
|
NORAM, Diku Scholarships |
US/Int’l students |
Tuition/living |
Apply early and check all rules on the university’s scholarship page.
